Cooperative/Noble Competition

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Abstract

Dr. King writes a sermon on the topic "Cooperative Competition." King utilizes the biblical text deriving from Luke chapter 22 verse 24, which expresses how Jesus views competition. According to the text, Jesus thinks that competition is good as long as an individual competes with humility and serving others.

Transcript

[Inserted text on the top: ? Cooperative Competition?
[Crossed out: [MS:illegible] ? Noble Competition?
Text Luke 22:24 F He that is greatest may you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief as he that do the serve.?
Introduction- many would affirm that men reach their highest level of productivity under competitive conditions. (1) Then how the principle applies in practical affairs (in [MS: Illegible] Seeking a grads) (2) Show how our whole economic structure is built up it.
Now Jesus himself saw the power that competition hold over men, He did not ignore it. Yet he does something with the conception of competition that had it been done before. He takes the conception, which has been used for lower purposes and rescues it from many of its dangers, by suggesting a higher method of its use. This is how he applied the term to his disciples. He saw them in danger of using it for low purposes. They wanted to complete for reputation and position ? which of them should ne accented greatest?
?Jesus say so, if you must use the power of competition, if you must compete with one another: make it as noble as you can by using it [Crossed out: [MS: Illegible] [on?] Noble things. Use it for a fine unselfish thing. ? He that is greatest among you shall serve? Use it for human good. [Crossed out: MS: Illegible] Shall be the most useful; compete with one another in humility. See which can be the trust servant.? It seems that Christ says? use it but use it for higher and holier purpose. Use it not to surpass one another in esteem, but use it to increase the comment of usefulness and brother?s help.
I. Such conception of competition lead to the surprising and enabling position that there can be competition without hate and jealousy. Behold! You can struggle to beat and yet rejoice to be beaten.
What is abolished is not competition, but the object of competition is altered.
(A) Suppose this teaching of Jesus should be accepted by all of this great world of competing men. Here are these rival hearts all eager to outstrip each other. But now the object is different. Not now who shall be [Crossed out: right] richest, or who shall have the biggest car , or who shall be the most powerful or learned ? but who shall be absolutely devoted to the good of fellow-men.
(B) [Imagige?] [Imagine?] the change that would come about if the Churches applied this truth. Now we are bogged not in competitive denominationalism, which is a destroying the warm blood of Protestant Church ? Which of them shall be accounted greatest? Let the churches stop trying to outstrip each other in the number of their adherents, the size of its sanctuary, the abundance of wealth. If we must compete let us compete to see which can move toward the greatest attainment of truth, the greatest service of the poor, and the greatest salvation of the soul and bodies of men.
(C) Suppose the teaching of Jesus should be accepted by competing nations of the world, particularly Russia and Amica [America?]. they would no longer compete to see which could make the bigger Atom bombs , or which cold best perpetuate its imperialism, but which could best serve humanity. This would be a better world.